Clockwork mechanism



Feb. 27, 1951 L. J. LAVIANA 2,543,032

CLOCKWORK MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 mm W LAWRENGE JLAVJANA Feb. 27, 1951 J. LAVIANA 2,543,032

CLOCKWORK MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 mac/Wm LAWRENCE JLAv/ANA Patented Feb. 27, 1951 CLOCKWORK MECHANISM Lawrence J. Laviana, Kensington, Conn., minor to M. H. Rhodes Incorporated, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application June 16, 1949, Serial No. 99,530

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in clockwork mechanisms and, more particularly, to means embodied within said mechanisms for rendering the same capable of selective operation at a plurality of rates of speed. While not restricted thereto, the invention is especially advantageous in such clockwork mechanisms known in the art as timers," said mechanisms being used generally for measuring intervals of elapsed time.

Timers of the type referred to usually are provided with means to perform such functions as initiate movement of the time train of the timer, set relative to a dial or otherwise the desired interval of time for which the timer is to operate and, if the timer is mechanically operated such as by spring motor for example, to energize said spring motor. When the desired interval of time has elapsed, means are generally included within the timer to actuate a signal of some variety and/or operate a circuit control means or perform some other function such as actuate a member to produce a desired result at the end of such elapsed period of time.

Frequently the dials used relative to timers of this nature are provided with graduations covering, for example, up to one hour of time. When the indicator member of the timer is set for an interval of time representing a large part of the total range of the timer, such setting may be made with no substantial percentage of error. However, if the timer is to be set for a small interval of time such as, for example, less than five minutes, then the possibility of error in correctly measuring the interval is greatly increased. It is obvious that an error such as fifteen or twenty seconds relative to an interval of threeminutes is very appreciable.

In inexpensive timer or clockwork mechanism particularly, where manufacturing tolerances cannot be held as closely as in expensive structures, variations in tolerance limits of manufacturing result in at least an appreciable percentage of such mechanisms having noticeable error in timing accuracy, especially when measuring relatively small intervals of time. Accordingly, a purchaser of an inexpensive timer or clockwork mechanism does not normally expect as high a degree of accuracy as is expected from expensive mechanisms of this nature.

It is an object of the present invention to render even an inexpensive timer or clockwork mechanism more accurate for measuring relatively small intervals of time by including in the mechanism means by which the rate of speed is greatly 2 increased while being used to measure such small intervals.

It is another object of the invention to provide in such mechanism means by which it can be selectively changed from operating at its normal, relatively slow speed, to operating at a greatly increased speed, depending upon whether a relatively short or long period of time is to be measured.

A corollary to the foregoing objects is to accomplish them by providing in the mechanism a pallet member which is shiftable selectively into and out of engagement with the escape wheel of the mechanism for causing the time train thereof respectively to operate at its normal, relatively slow rate of speed or at a much higher rate of speed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide several embodiments of manually operable means to effect shifting of the pallet member into and out of engagement with the escape wheel of the mechanism.

The details of these objects and of the invention as well as other objects thereof are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a timer mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a. side elevation of the timer shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 with the dial and operating knob of the timer removed and part of the mounting frame broken away to expose details.

Fig. 4 is a rear vertical elevation of the timer construction shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3 with the front mounting frame thereof shown in section.

Fig, 6 is a fragmentary vertical elevation of the escapement details of the mechanism shown in the other figures, said view being shown when the mechanism has been rotated about the horizontal axis thereof, parallel to the dial, shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing certain elements of the mechanism in other operative positions than those shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention, said view being shown with the dial and operating knob removed.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing certain elements of the mechanism in other posi tions than those shown in Fig. 8.

Several embodiments of timer mechanisms of the type used to produce an audible signal after a predetermined period of time has elapsed have been selected as exemplary mechanisms in which the principles of the present invention may be embodied. It is to be understood that the invention may be usefully embodied in timer and clockwork mechanisms other than those illustrated and described herein. The timer illustrated in the drawings comprises a face plate In having an indicating dial I2. The face plate I may be mounted on the front surface of any suitable supporting means such as a panel l4 which may be part of a household appliance, industrial mechanism or otherwise. The dial I2 has graduations and indicia with which the setting knob l6 cooperates for purposes of effecting a setting of the timer for measuring any desired predetermined period of time within the limits of the mechanism.

As has been mentioned above, the present invention contemplates a clockwork movement or mechanism which may be operated at a plurality of different rates of speed. One rate is much slower than the other in the exemplary embodiment illustrated herein but the difference in rates may be varied, to adapt the mechanism to a wide range of uses, by means .described hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment, the time range of the timer, while operating at its fast rate of speed will measure various intervals of time to a maximum of six minutes. While operating at its slow rate of speed, said mechanism is capable of operating for various intervals of time to a maximum of sixty (60) minutes. The dial is accordingly conveniently designed in this exemplary embodiment so that the same indicia l8 may be used relative to setting the knob l6 regardless of which rate of speed is selected. If the timer is to be used in other situations where this dual use of a dial is not permitted, variations can conveniently be made in the dial to suit such circumstances.

Mounted adjacent the face plate I0, and on the opposite side of the panel i4, is a mounting frame 20. Said frame provides means to support the clockwork mechanism 22 which is disposed within said frame. The mechanism 22 includes a winding arbor 24 which is connected to the mainspring 26 of the mechanism for purposes of energizing the same. The setting knob I6 is mounted on one end of the winding arbor 24 which extends through a suitable opening in the dial l2. When the knob I6 has been moved clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, to energize the mainspring and effect a setting of the timer, the knob is is disengaged by the operator and the time train 30 of the mechanism 22 will be moved by the mainspring in a direction to permit the winding arbor to move in counter-winding direction and carry the indicating end 28 of the knob H; to its starting position.

The time train 30 comprises a plurality of intermeshed wheels and pinions supported by staffs pivoted between the frame plates of the mechanism. Wheel 32 of said train, which is driven faster than all of the other wheels of the train, meshes with an escape pinion 34 fixed to the same staff as escape wheel 38. The time train thus drives the escape wheel 36 at an even faster rate of speed than wheel 32. To prevent a too rapid dissipation of the power of the mainspring 26, a retarding member 38 is mounted on a staff for oscillatory movement by the escape wheel 35, said member having a pair of ears 40 which function as pallet pins in a conventional escapement. Engagement of said ears by the teeth of the escape wheel causes the retarding member 38 to oscillate at a relatively rapid rate of speed if the moment of inertia of member 38 is small compared to the driving force imposed upon it. The retarding member 38 is known in th art as a clutter.

The moment of inertia of the retarding member or clutter 38 may be varied to change the speed of oscillation of the member by the escape ment wheel and thus vary the rate of speed at which the time train returns the knob [6 from a set position to its starting position. In the exemplary mechanism shown in the present drawings, the mass of the member or clutter 38 has been selected so as to cause the knob 16 to be rotated counter-clockwise at a speed which will require six minutes to move the knob one full revolution. The time train during this time will be moving at what is termed its fast rate of speed.

Supported by the end of arbor 24 opposite that supporting the knob is a pair of timing discs 42 and 44. Disc 42 is fixed to the arbor, while disc 44 is rotatable relative thereto for a limited amount controlled by a pin 46 fixed to disc 42 and extending through an arcuate slot 48 formed in disc 44. The discs are each provided with radial notches 50 for purposes to be described. Mounted on the rear of the mechanism 22 is a bar 52 which is pivoted at one end to the mechanism 22 by a headed pin 54. The free end of said bar is bent at right angles thereto to provide an ear 56 which coacts with a clapper 58 pivotally supported by a mounting frame 20. Said clapper coacts with a bell 60 and is moved by bar 52 into contact with the bell after the interval of time for which the timer has been set has elapsed.

The bar 52 is normally biased clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4 by a spring 62. Projecting toward the rear from the bar 52 intermediate its ends is a pin 64 which is held, due to the biasing influence of the spring 52, against the periphery of disc 44 or the surfaces defining the notches 50. When the knob I6 is at its starting or zero position, the pin 64 is disposed within the notches in of the two discs, said notches being in registry with each other at this time.

Since Fig. 4 is a view of the rear of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, when the knob 18 is moved clockwise to a desired setting relative to Fig. 1, the discs 42 and 44 will be moved counter-clockwise as shown in Fig. 4. During the first part of the movement of said disc as described, the pin 64 will ride up the inclined wall of each of the notches 50 and cause the upper end of the bar 52 to be moved toward the left as viewed in Fig. 4. After the notches 59 in the discs have been moved past the pin 64. said pin will ride on the periphery of the disc 44, said periphery extending slightly beyond that of disc 42 due to a difference in diameter in the same.

As has been stated above, disc 42 is fixed to arbor 24 and during the initial part of the movement of the disc counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4, the notches 50 of the discs will be moved out of registry since disc 42 will move relative to disc 44 until pin 46 reaches the other end of slot 48. When this occurs, the discs will then move in unison. In this particular type of timing mechanism it is necessary to first move the end 28 of the knob past a desired setting and then return the end to the exact setting. During such return of the end 28 of the knob to the exact setting, the disc 42 will be moved clockwise as in Fig. 4 and cause the disc 42 to move slightly ahead of disc 44. The notch 60 in disc 44 is also provided with a radial edge 66 and said edge will provide a sharp drop-off which trails the leading edge of notch 60 in disc 42 when the discs are both moving in clockwise direction.

When a setting of the knob l6 has been effected and the time train 30 starts to allow movement of the knob toward its initial position, or zero setting, the discs 42 and 44 will continue their clockwise movement until the pin 64 drops of! of the sharp corner of the disc 44 defined by the periphery of said disc and the radial edge 66 of the disc 44. When this occurs, the arm 56 on the upper end of bar 52 will be moved sharply into engagement with the clapper 58 and cause the same to be impinged upward against the bell 60. The timer may continue to.

operate for a few seconds after this occurs but such movement will be stopped by suitable mechanism, not shown, but comprising for example a stop pin fixed to arbor 24 which engages a stop member fixed to one of the frame plates of the mechanism 22.

The foregoing description relates to the operation of the timer mechanism described above while running at a fast speed. When the timer is running at such fast speed and the maximum amount of time which can be measured in the exemplary mechanism illustrated herein is six minutes, it will be seen that small intervals of time such as several minutes, for example, can be measured with a high degree of accuracy as distinguished from when short intervals of time are measured while the mechanism is running at a much slower speed. When running at a fast rate of speed, for example, manufacturing inaccuracies and tolerances are overcome to a far greater extent than when the mechanism is running at a slow speed during time measurement operations. Thus, the present mechanism is generally operated at fast speed for measuring short intervals of time amounting, for example, to less than six minutes, it being understood of course that this limit may be varied to suit specific requirements by altering various parts of the mechanism to cause it to run at a different rate of speed from that at which the present exemplary mechanism has been designed to operate while running at fast speed.

When the mechanism is to be operated at slow speed for purposes of measuring, for example, intervals of time greater than the maximum provided for while running at fast speed, the present invention includesa pallet member 68 which is mounted for movement toward and from engagement with the escape wheel 36. The pallet member 68 is preferably supported on a staff 10 which is provided with a cut-out portion 12 intermediate the ends thereof to provide clearance for passage of the teeth of the escape wheel 36.

The member 68 is also provided with a pair of spaced pallet pins 14 which are fixed to the member and project perpendicularly in the same direction from one surface thereof. Said pallet pins are engaged by the teeth of the escape wheel in a manner similar to the ears 40 of retarding member 38, whereby pallet member 68 is oscillated alternately in opposite directions by the teeth of the escape wheel 66. The moment of inertia of the pallet member 68 is such that it will materially reduce the speed of movement of the timer train 86. In the exemplary timer illustrated herein, the mass of the member 60 is such that one complete revolution of the settin knob l6 will require 60 minutes, whereby the slow speed of the timer is 1 6 of the fast speed, the slow speed being that at which the timer operates when the pallet member 68 is in engagement with the escapement wheel 36.

Staff 16 of the pallet member 68 is supported at one end by fixed bearing 16 secured to one of the frame plates of the mechanism 22. The other end of the staff 10 is pivotally supported in a shiftable bearing 18 which is slidably mounted relative to the other frame plate of the mechanism 22 which is adjacent the mounting frame 20. The shiftable bearing 18 preferably has an annular shoulder which is engageable with the inner surface of said frame plate to prevent axial movement of the bearing away from the end of the staff HI. The slot 88 extends substantially radially relative to the staff of the escape wheel as is clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The length of the slot 80 and the positions of the ends thereof are such that when the shiftable bearing 18 is moved away from the escape wheel staff, the pallet pins 14 of the pallet member 68 will be moved out of the range of movement of the outer ends of the teeth of the escape wheel, whereby the pallet pins 14 will not be engaged thereby such as when the movement is running at its fast rate of speed. Conversely, when the shiftable bearing is moved to the opposite end of the slot 80, the pallet pins 14 will be in a position to be operatively engaged by the teeth of the escape wheel.

Shifting of the bearing 18 is accomplished by a lever 82 pivoted by a pin 84 to the frame plate of the mechanism 22 adjacent the mounting frame 20. The inner end of lever 82 is provided with a longitudinal slot 86 to provide a forked arrangement which straddles the end of the shiftable bearing 18 that projects through said frame plate. The opposite end of the lever 82 is provided with manually engageable means such as a knob or pin 88 which extends through suitable, aligned slots 90 in the mounting frame 20 and dial l 2, whereby the pin 88 may be engaged on the exterior of the timer dial.

The dial is also provided with appropriate indicia S and F as shown in Fig. 1 to indicate respectively Slow and Fast, referring to the speeds at which the timer operates when the pin 88 is disposed at the respective ends of the slot on the dial. The pin 88 thus comprises means by which the timer may be selectively set to operate at either fast or slow speed. Such setting is maintained by any suitable means such as a spring finger 92 projecting from the inner end of lever 82 which slidably and frictionally engages the inner surface of mounting frame 20.

To insure that the pallet pins 14 will remain out of engagement with the teeth of the escape wheel when the timer is to operate at fast speed, as shown in Fig. 7, the pallet member 68 is provided with a V-shaped notch 94 which receives a pin 96, fixedly supported by the mechanism 22, when the bearing 18 is shifted to disengage the pallet member 68 from the escape wheel.

In Figs. 8 and 9, there is illustrated another embodiment of that portion of the invention by which the pallet member 68 may be manually shifted to and from engagement with the escape wheel. In said embodiment, rather than employ the lever 82, a Y-shaped lever 91 is pivoted by pin 98 to the frame plate of the mechanism 22 adjacent the mounting frame 20. One leg I of the lever 96 has a slot I02 to provide a forked arrangement which straddles the shiftable bearing as in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through '7. The leg I00 also is provided with a spring finger I04 which is similar to finger 92 and functions in the same manner.

Projecting radially from the arbor 24 is a finger I06 extending outward from a collar I09 which is fixed to the arbor 24. The finger I06, when moved in one direction by arbor 24, engages another leg IIO of lever 91 and causes movement of the leg I00 of lever 91 in a direction to disengage the pallet member 69 from the escape wheel 30. Such movement of finger I09 by the arbor 24 is in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 8 and 9, Fig. 8 showing the position of lever 91 when the pallet member 98 is in engagement with the escape wheel, and Fig. 9 showing lever 91 after it has been moved to disengage the pallet member 68 from the escape wheel.

The above described movement of the arbor 24 and finger I08 takes place prior to setting the timer for the interval of time which is to be measured thereby. Thus, when the timer is to be operated at fast speed, the setting knob I9 is first rotated slightly in counter-clockwise direction from the position thereof shown in Fig. 1 in order to effect a shifting of lever 91 from its position in Fig. 8 to its position in Fig. 9. The knob I8 is then rotated in clockwise direction relative to Fig. 1 to establish a setting of the time to be measured by the timer while running at fast speed.

After the period of time to be measured has elapsed while running at fast speed and the lever 91 is in the position shown in Fig. 9, an upper extension I I4 thereon will be engaged by the upper end of the bar 52 which will move to the left as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 as a result of the pin 84 on said bar dropping into notches 50 of the timing disc due to the biasing influence of spring 62. To accomplish this, the upper end of bar 52 is provided with an extension II2 disposed transversely thereto and being of sufficient length to engage the extension I I4 of lever 96 and move it so as to rotate the lever 91 counter-clockwise as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, thus shifting the leg I00 thereof from the position shown in Fig. 9 to that in Fig. 8. Such movement will shift the pallet member 90 into engagement with escape wheel 36.

Thus, even though the timer is originally set by knob I5 so as to operate at fast speed, the timer is automatically restored to operate at slow speed at the completion of the measurement of any desired interval of time, even though it has been running at fast speed. When the knob I6 is moved to initially shift lever 91 from the position in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9, so that the timer may operate at fast speed, the friction afforded by the spring finger I04 is sufficient to overcome the normal latent biasing influence imparted to bar 52 by spring 02.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the normal position of lever 91 is that shown in Fig. 8 wherein the pallet member 68 is in engagement with the escape wheel 36 of the time train, and the timer is operable at slow speed. If it is desired to operate the timer at slow speed, the knob I6 is only moved during the setting operation in clockwise direction to 8 effect a setting thereof and it is only when it is desired to operate the timer at fast speed that the setting knob I0 is first moved slightly counterclockwise prior to moving the same clockwise to effect a setting of the time interval thereby.

While the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 represents one mechanical means by which the pallet member is moved into and out of engagement with the escape wheel 30, it is to be understood that other mechanical means may be devised within the spirit of this invention for so moving said pallet member 08. One further means, for example, may include a magnet arranged so that it may be moved in a manner to cause its magnetic field to effect movement of the shiftable bearing 10 so as to engage the pallet member 90 with the escape wheel or disengage it therefrom.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in its preferred embodiments and has included certain details, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, and an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, in combination with a pallet member selectively movable into engagement with said escape wheel to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a plurality of different rates of speed.

2. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, and an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, in combination with a pallet member supported by a staff shiftable relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a. plurality of diflerent rates of speed.

3. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, and an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said tram to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, in combination with a pallet member supported by a staff shiftable at one end relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallel member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a plurality of different rates of speed.

4. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, and an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, in combination with a pallet member supported by a staff shiftable relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said'pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a plurality of different rates of speed, and means interengageable with said staff and manually movable to effect said shifting thereof.

5. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, and an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, in combination with a pallet member provided with pallel pins and supported by a staff for free oscillatory movement and said staff being shiftable relative to said escape wheel to permit the pins of said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagementwith the teeth of said pallet member, said pallet member when the pins thereof are engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a plurality of different rates of speed, and means engageable with said pallet member when shifted out of engagement with said escape wheel to hold the pallet pins against movement into engagement with said escape wheel.

6. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, and an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, in combination with a pallet member, a staff supporting said pallet member, bearings supporting the opposite ends of said staff, one bearing being fixed relative to said mechanism and the other being shiftable relative thereto, whereby said staff may be shifted at one end relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the'rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a plurality of different rates of speed, and means connected to said shiftable bearing and manually engageable to effect shifting movement of said bearing.

'7. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, and an arbor connected to said power means and operable to energize the same, in combination with a pallet member, means movably supporting said pallet member for movement into and out of engagement with said escape wheel, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, whereby said mechanism may be actuated selectively at a plurality of different 10 rates of speed, actuating means on'said arbor and movable therewith, and means interconnecting said actuating means and movable support for said pallet member when said actuating means is moved in one direction by said arbor to cause said pallet member to be shifted into engagement with said escape wheel.

8. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate'of speed, and an arbor connected to said power means and operable to energize the same, in combination with a pallet member, a staff supporting said pallet member, bearlngs supporting the opposite ends of said staff, one bearing being fixed relative to said mechanism and the other being shiftable relative thereto, whereby said staff may be shifted at one end relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, actuating means on said arbor and movable therewith, and means interconnecting said actuating means and shiftable bearing when said actuating means is moved in one direction by said arbor, whereby said actuating means causes shifting movement of said bearing in one direction as aforesaid.

9. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, and an arbor connected to said power means and operable to energize the same, in combination with a pallet member, a staff supporting said pallet members, bearings supporting the opposite ends of said staff, one bearing being fixed relative to said mechanism and the other beign shiftable relative thereto, whereby said staff may be shifted at one end relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, actuating means on said arbor and movable therewith, and a lever pivoted relative to said mechanism and having one end engageable by said actuating means when moved in one direction by said arbor, the other end of said lever when so moved engaging said shiftable bearing to effect shifting of said pallet member in one direction relative to said escape wheel.

10. A clockwork mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, and an arbor connected to said power means and operable to energize the same, in combination with a pallet member, a staff supporting said pallet members, bearings supporting the op posite ends of said staff, one bearing being fixed relative to said mechanism and the other being shiftable relative thereto, whereby said staff may be shifted at one end relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate oi speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, actuating means on said arbor and movable therewith, a lever pivoted relative to said mechanism and having one end engageable by said actuating means moved in one direction by said arbor and the other end of said lever when so moved engaging said shift-able bearing to effect shifting of said pallet member in one direction relative to said escape wheel, and means automaticaliy operable after a predetermined period of time has elapsed to engage said lever and move it in an opposite direction to shift correspondingly said pallet member relative to said escape wheel in an opposite direction.

11. A timing mechanism of the type comprising a time train, power means to drive said train, an escapement including an escape wheel driven by said time train and operable to cause said train to operate at a predetermined rate of speed, an arbor connected to said power means and operable to energize the same, a pivoted bar movable in one direction at the end of a predetermined period of time, and a timing disc movable by said train and controlling the movement of said bar in said one direction, in combination with a pallet member, a staff supporting said pallet member, bearings supporting the opposite ends of said staff, one bearing being fixed relative to said mechanism and the other being shii'table relative thereto.

whereby said staff may be shifted at one end relative to said escape wheel to permit said pallet member to be moved into and out of engagement therewith, said pallet member when engaging said escape wheel serving to impede the rate of speed thereof and thereby cause said time train to operate at a rate of speed slower than said predetermined rate thereof, actuating means on said arbor and movable therewith, a lever pivoted relative to said mechanism and having one end engageable by said actuating means when moved in one direction by said arbor and the other end of said lever when so moved engaging said shiftable bearing to effect shifting of said pallet member in one direction relative said escape wheel, whereby said actuating means causes shifting movement of said bearing, and said lever being engageable by said pivoted bar during its aforementioned movement to move said lever and pallet member in directions opposite to those aforesaid.

LAWRENCE J. LAVIANA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,086,785 Thomas July 13, 1937 2,239,668 Aegler Apr. 29, 1941 

